You all know him as Brian, the stoner in “Half Baked,” or as Goat Boy on “Saturday Night Live,” but how many people know the real Jim Breuer–the man behind the smoke, if you will. Recently I had a chance to talk to Breuer, and foundt that when you strip away all the lights and cameras, he is still a hilarious guy.

Here is what he had to say.

Q: Jim, did you always want to be a comedian, or did you aspire to be something else growing up?

Breuer: I always wanted to, ever since the 6th grade when I saw Steve Martin. Other comedians I looked up to were Richard Pryor and George Carlin. I was the fat kid in school. I weighed 82 lbs in kindergarten, and I looked high. Comedy was my defense.

Q: You obviously lost the weight at some point, when did that happen?

Breuer: When I needed to get chicks, around 16.

Q: What was it like making “Half Baked?”

Breuer: Great! It was a stoner movie for the 90s. Dave Chappell came to see me at a comedy club and he said, “Man we need to make a pot movie.”

I was just excited about getting my own trailer! I never really expect anything, so I’m like first class! What? I’m working on a new stoner movie right now, completely different from “Half Baked.”

Q: In “Half Baked” you got to smoke with Snoop Dogg, what was that experience like?

Breuer: It was real. He was the only guy who pulled out the real stuff. The rest of us had been smoking this fake grass. So we were like, “OK I guess this is OK.”

He has like an army that travels with him and his boys just pulled out the real sh*!. He’s a really cool guy. I showed up at this MTV softball game and all these rappers knew me because of him.

Q: When you were on “Saturday Night Live,” one of your most famous characters was Goat Boy. How did you come up with that character?

Breuer: I was baked at the zoo in front of the goat pen, and was just trying to get them to bleet back at me.

Q: Your impression of Joe Pesci on SNL was hilarious. When the real Joe Pesci appeared on the show, did he find the impression funny?

Breuer: I don’t think so. DeNiro thought it was funny, but I don’t think Pesci found it funny. At first he was not happy. He said “You don’t even sound like me, you sound like Mickey Mouse.” He was also like, “Are you gonna thank me for giving you a career?”

Q: Do you get recognized more for your role as Brian in “Half Baked” or as Goat Boy?

Breuer: Brian in “Half Baked,” but I get older people saying, “I love you as Goat Boy, but my kid really likes you in some movie called ‘Half Baked.'”

Q: Which do you enjoy doing more–movies, skits on SNL, or standup comedy?

Breuer: That’s like saying which kid you love the most. I’ve been blessed in being able to do what I want. I would say the live performances are the best. I really want to do another sketch show for comedy central.

Q: Who is your favorite character to play?

Breuer: What do you mean?

Q: For example, Goat Boy.

Breuer: I’m done with Goat Boy. I’m done with all my past characters; once I do it, I’m already on to the next thing. I really only enjoyed two Goat Boys. I get tired of repetition.

Q: You’re doing your Heavy Metal Comedy Tour right now (Jim will be performing in Aspen on March 1st.) What can we expect?

Breuer: Aspen is the grand finale, so we’re going to have so much fun! When I perform I try to make everyone feel like we’re just hanging out in my basement or something.

Q: What are some of your favorite bands?

Breuer: I’m all over the place. Rock Gods, old Metallica– can’t beat it, 80’s groups (not the hair bands), AC/DC, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden. I like a lot of new stuff. Tool, Disturbed, Seal, Sting, Alanis Morisette. Seven Dust is like my new favorite band–they sing, it’s not just noise. When I heard their new CD I wanted to be in the music video.

Q: Have you seen them in person?

Breuer: I actually saw them in Denver, with P.O.D., and somebody else. I only wanted to see them though.

Q: You just finished taping a new Comedy Central special in New York; can we expect to see any new material?

Breuer: All new, stuff no one has seen before. I talk about the war, growing up, being a dad, AC/DC doing the hokey pokey. It’s an hour long special and they’re devoting an entire night to me, showing “Half Baked,” old specials, and me just hanging out.

Q: You have one daughter and are expecting another child any day, how is it being a father?

Breuer: Yeah, I had another daughter last Monday. It’s the best thing in the world, if you’re ready. You have to put money and work aside, less money and more family. I love being at home, hanging out with my family and friends. The best memories I have are just hanging out with people behind the scenes.

Q: Your other daughter is 2 B= now. How long until you let her watch your material?

Breuer: (laughs) I don’t think I’ll have much of a choice. She already sees the posters in my house and is like there’s daddy acting funny. She will be like, “Daddy, what is marijuana?” and I’m like, “Uh… it’s a gift from God.” That doesn’t make sense to me. If God gave us all these plants and animals and was like these are yours to enjoy, why is marijuana illegal? That really doesn’t make sense; I’m going to write my congressman.

Q: I know before you were a comedian, you were a waiter. How did you like that job?

Breuer: I loved it, because I was a retard. I worked in a four star restaurant and would drop food and stick it right back on the plate. I would also pretend to be from different countries to get better tips. No matter where I go I always make sure everyone has fun. I’ve had some sucky jobs, but I’d always have fun.